Ricky Martin: ‘I bullied gay people’

Ricky Martin admits he was homophobic as he struggled to deal with his own sexuality.

The superstar came out in 2010 after years of speculation. He has since become an outspoken advocate of gay rights around the world, but has revealed he would aim abuse at homosexuals while he tried to secretly deal with his feelings.

In an interview with Australian GQ, he says, “I was very angry, very rebellious. I used to look at gay men and think, ‘I’m not like that; I don’t want to be like that, that’s not me.’ I was ashamed.

“When you’re told you’re wrong by everyone, from society, from your faith – my self-esteem was crushed. I took my anger out on those around me.

“I look back now and realize I would bully people who I knew were gay. I had internalized homophobia. To realize that was confronting to me. I wanted to get away from that.”